Vesak, May 29 this year, is the day of the full moon in the month of May. It is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world, as it marks the day of the Buddha’s birth in 623 B.C. and commemorates the day he attained enlightenment and the day he passed away in his eightieth year.

This year, Vesak fell in the middle of the Ramadhan fasting month.

According to Yudi Murdana, head of Jakarta’s Vesak celebration organizing committee, out of respect for the Muslim community comprising more than 86 percent of the Jakarta population, the events traditionally held for the day were canceled.

To show their tolerance and respect for their Muslim sisters and brothers, they replaced their annual parade with the distribution of sugary delicacies, known locally as tajil, to people passing through the area that afternoon for breaking their fast at the end of the day.

From its beginnings, the Church of Scientology has recognized that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. In a world where conflicts are often traceable to intolerance of others’ religious beliefs and practices, the Church has, for more than 50 years, made the preservation of religious liberty an overriding concern.

The Church publishes this blog to help create a better understanding of the freedom of religion and belief and provide news on religious freedom and issues affecting this freedom around the world.